It was kind of fitting that in legendary broadcaster Bob Cole's last game, Ryan Poehling posted his first career game scored a hat trick — and then the game-winning goal in the shootout — in Montreal's 6-5 victory over Toronto.
Just a day after the Canadiens were eliminated from the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, the forward scored a goal in each period, including the game-tying goal with under three minutes remaining in regulation.
Poehling signed a three-year, entry-level contract Sunday after No. 1 St. Cloud State was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. In 36 games this season, Montreal's first-round draft pick in 2017 netted eight goals, or a goal every four to five games, for the Huskies; as a reminder, he netted three in one NHL game.
MORE: 'Oh, baby! What a career!' — Hockey world reacts to legendary broadcaster Bob Cole's final game
The 20-year-old Lakeville, Minn., native wasn't done with a hat trick, by the way. He was tapped by coach Claude Julien to go in the shootout, and, of course, he did not disappoint.
"Yes sir!"
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 7, 2019
Bob Cole with the call as Ryan Poehling scores the shootout-winner for the @CanadiensMTL. 🚨 #HockeyNight pic.twitter.com/9RhLy8gdlm
One of eight players to net a hat trick in their NHL debut, including the Canadiens' Alex Smart in 1943 and the Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews in 2016, Poehling's game-tying goal and game-winner in the shootout were the last of Cole's career. Not bad for the youngster considering the first one the play-by-play man called was Jean Beliveau's only career overtime goal to put Montreal into the Stanley Cup Final.
While Habs fans may have entered Bell Centre deflated following Friday night's elimination amid a respectable 96-point season, Poehling left a lasting impression of what is on the horizon for Montreal. He also sent Bob Cole off in style.